Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption – This book is the reason to join a book discussion group – a book review by Patty Swaney
by Patty Swaney
who read this book for the Manchester District Library’s book discussion group. A book review of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
by Bryan Stevenson
From the book itself: “A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice—from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time.”
I am finding that there is much going on to give you hope. The NY Times just had a headline today “States Move Toward Treating 17-Year-Old Offenders as Juveniles, Not Adults.” Yesterday it was, “BREAKING NEWS: Pfizer has blocked its drugs from being used in lethal injections, cutting off the last open-market source of such drugs. Friday, May 13, 2016”
Am I noticing more about this topic because I read a book written by an amazing man, who happens to be someone that can get positive results … with a lot of work … on a topic that isn’t Fiction or even easy reading? Yet, the prose moved along and easily drew me in.
When I tell people what I’m reading and try to encourage them by describing what Bryan Stevenson cares about, they mostly just nod but don’t seem to want to add it to their already long “to read” list. They are probably thinking, “Oooooh, honey, all that’s going to make you tired, tired, tired,” as someone told Stevenson. But a friend added, “That’s why you’ve got to be brave, brave, brave.” Read about something important that is happening right now!
This man, Bryan Stevenson, has a plan, has learned a lot and it’s so good to see that it is working. Believe me, you will start noticing that there seems to be more people and organizations seeking AND finding Justice and Mercy. Keep the good news coming so we can practice accepting the bad with Courage and Mercy.
This book is the reason to join a book discussion group. You may not like or read some of the recommendations, but the suggestions are broken down into different genres, a very democratic process takes place, and you find that you can be enlightened if you just give it a try.
The library book discussion group meets at 7 pm, the 3rd Tuesday of the month, in the Lower Level Conference Room. There is no December meeting. The group is open to all interested parties. Books are selected during the summer months, with input from both current group members and library staff. The group maintains an active presence at GoodReads, a useful site offering book reviews, discussion panels, reading lists, and more. For the current book of the month and the list of upcoming selections, click here. No pre-registration is required to attend. Additional copies of the book of the month are available for checkout at the circulation desk. For more information, call the library at 734-428-8045 or email Kathy Dimond at kdimond@manchesterlibrary.info.
Read what the book discussion group members think of “Just Mercy” by reading their reviews here.
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